Question

The conversion of 3° alcohols into 3° alkyl halides under acidic conditions involves two cationic intermediates. For each reaction, draw the complete mechanism using curved arrows.

Short answer

By the substitution nucleophilic reaction, they follow the bimolecular reaction, which is a two steps process:

1. Removal of the leaving group

2. Formation of the carbocation

3. Addition of the nucleophile

Step-by-step solution

Substitution nucleophilic reaction

By the substitution nucleophilic reaction, they follow the bimolecular reaction, which is a two steps process:

1. Removal of the leaving group

2. Formation of the carbocation

3. Addition of the nucleophile

Formation of compound a

By the SN₁ Reaction, the removal of the hydroxyl group occurs, followed by the formation of the cationic intermediate. the carbocation, and the addition of the nucleophile that is a chlorine halide. The formation of the desired product occurs as follows:

Formation of compound b

By the SN₁ Reaction, the removal of the hydroxyl group occurs, followed by the formation of the cationic intermediate, the carbocation, then the addition of the nucleophile that is a bromide ion halide. The formation of the desired product occurs as follows:

Formation of compound c

By the SN₁ reaction, the removal of the hydroxyl group occurs, followed by the formation of the cationic intermediate, the carbocation, and the addition of the nucleophile that is a Br ion. The formation of the desired product occurs as follows: